What to Do When the Car Air Conditioner Evaporator Leaks Refrigerant?
2 Answers
You need to go to a professional car air conditioner repair shop to check for leaks. Repair cracks and pinholes in the air conditioner pipes. Perform vacuum exhaust, which means removing the gas and moisture from the air conditioner pipes. After vacuum exhaust of the air conditioner pipes, refill the refrigerant, and the air conditioner can resume normal operation.
I often encounter evaporator leaks when repairing cars. If the car's air conditioning has poor cooling or emits a chemical smell, there's an 80% chance the evaporator seal is broken and leaking refrigerant. The evaporator is hidden behind the dashboard and is responsible for refrigerant circulation. If it leaks, the AC will blow hot air and may produce a pungent odor, making driving very uncomfortable. The principle for handling this is not to delay, to avoid damaging the compressor. DIY repairs are ineffective because special tools are required: first, park and turn off the AC to prevent further damage; then, find a professional repair shop. They use fluorescent leak detectors or electronic detectors to locate the leak. If it can be repaired by welding or sealing, that's ideal, but in most cases, the evaporator needs to be replaced. After replacement, vacuum suction and refrigerant refilling are required. The entire process costs a few hundred to a thousand dollars, so ensure you choose a reputable shop for quality assurance. As a side note, regular maintenance of the AC system and cleaning the evaporator can extend its lifespan and avoid such troubles.
